Free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig has multiple suitors, with the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Marlins and Orioles showing varying levels of interest in the 30-year-old, sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Yasiel Puig is drawing interest from multiple teams, per sources. Red Sox, Yankees, Astros, Marlins and Orioles appear to have varying levels of interest.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 4, 2021
After producing 24 homers with a .785 OPS (99 OPS+) between the Reds and Indians in 2019, Puig didn’t appear in the Majors last season. A reported deal with the Braves fell through in July after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Puig has been playing for the Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League, though he appeared in only five games during the regular season due to a right leg injury, hitting .231 with an .808 OPS. The LIDOM playoffs are ongoing, with the Toros among the final four teams.
After defecting from Cuba, Puig signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Dodgers in 2012 and debuted in MLB a year later, making an immediate impact with 19 homers and a .925 OPS over 104 games as a rookie.
In six years with Los Angeles, Puig recorded 108 homers, 331 RBIs and an .831 OPS (127 OPS+) over 712 games. The Dodgers sent him to the Reds as part of a seven-player trade in December 2018.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].